Click image to enlarge.
1. Outline the steps with spray paint and drive
stakes at the top and bottom. Tie a level string line to the stakes. Measure
the total run between the stakes and the total rise from the ground to the
level line. Calculate the length of each tread (see Fig. A and text below) and
mark them with spray paint.
2. Dig a trench for the first stone riser. Plan to
leave enough of the riser stone exposed so the step will be at the correct
height when you set the stone tread on top.
3. Level the riser stones by removing soil or
adding gravel as needed. Set the distance from the ground (or future path) to
the top of the first riser stone equal to the riser dimension less the
thickness of the tread.
4. Dig straight back, level with the top of the
first riser stone to 10 in. beyond the mark for the second riser. Set the next
riser stone so the distance from the dug-out ground to the top of the stone is
equal to your riser height. Adjust the height of the riser by burying a bit of
the stone or adding gravel under it. Level the top.
Click image to enlarge.
5. Move heavy flagstones by tipping them up on end
and rocking them onto a two-wheeled dolly. Keep your back straight and lift
with your legs.
6. Arrange large flagstones to overhang the lower
riser about 2 in. Remove soil or tamp gravel into low areas to level the tops
of the stones. Leave gaps between stones up to 2 in.
wide.
7. Trim stones for a better fit by chipping away
at protruding pieces with a heavy maul. Wear safety
glasses.
Click image to enlarge.
8. Shim unstable flagstone treads with stone
chips. Tip the tread stone out of the way and glue the stone shims to the
risers with polyurethane construction adhesive.
9. Cut 16-in. squares of sod from alongside the
steps with a flat-blade shovel and lift them out. Remove enough soil to slope
and blend the surrounding yard into the new steps. Replace the sod and water
it.
Click image to enlarge.
10. Build a small retaining wall by stacking
smaller stones and filling behind them with dirt. Stagger the joints and step
each layer back a couple of inches from the one below.
11.
Fill cracks with a 50/50 mix of soil and compost, and plant
creeping ground cover such as thyme in the larger
spaces.
